As the 30th All India Governor's Gold Cup football tournament being played here at Paljor Stadium enters into semi-finals in the next two days, several stars have bitten the dust while new players have come good in this premier tournament in the Northeast.
Among these new boys knocking the doors of top league clubs, Tata Football Academy (TFA) playmaker Subodh Kumar is the bright face of a rising Indian football scenario. In his two matches, Kumar has attracted much attention with his punishing runs and plays all over the pitch.
Always on the move, this pint sized player hounds the opposition forwards, harasses the defense and virtually controls the midfield covering the entire length and breadth of the field. This game style of the hardworking Kumar was much noticed during yesterday's crucial game against DKKKS, a Bangladesh club.
TFA cruised past the Bangladesh side by four goals to nil and entered into the semis of the Gold Cup. A large credit goes to Kumar in this easy victory.
The 18 year old TFA lad dominated the midfield and nipped potential dangers in the bud. Despite his short size by football standards, Kumar was more than a match to the tall Bangladesh players.
Even as the Bangladesh team tried to attack (which were few) down the flanks, Kumar was always there to assist the back four and shepherd the ball out of danger to launch sweeping moves into the rival's box.
Most of the attacking moves originated from Kumar's boots and the fourth goal resulted due to his brilliant effort in the 85th minute. Kumar lashed onto a wayward clearance from DKKKS defence and ran into the rival's box taking two defenders along with him. Instead of sending a cross to his team-mates waiting on the right side, Kumar then coolly back-heeled the ball to the unmarked Robin Singh whose left footer crashed into the net.
"We were playing as per our coach (Ranjan Chowdhury) strategy which was to give no breathing space. We played pressing football and always snatched the ball away from the opposition team", said Kumar after the match.
Kumar, who is into his third year with TFA, has already represented India in the national U-19 football team. He proudly recollected his goals against Lebanon and Oman in the AFC games.
Comparing the two games he played in the Gold Cup, Kumar said that he and his team mates could not have played better in the first match.
"It is always difficult to play in the first game,” he said.
“But today we played as per the game plan.”
Kumar is from Ranchi and dreams of making to the Indian senior football squad.
"I want to play for the Indian football team", he said.
Source:Goal.com
Among these new boys knocking the doors of top league clubs, Tata Football Academy (TFA) playmaker Subodh Kumar is the bright face of a rising Indian football scenario. In his two matches, Kumar has attracted much attention with his punishing runs and plays all over the pitch.
Always on the move, this pint sized player hounds the opposition forwards, harasses the defense and virtually controls the midfield covering the entire length and breadth of the field. This game style of the hardworking Kumar was much noticed during yesterday's crucial game against DKKKS, a Bangladesh club.
TFA cruised past the Bangladesh side by four goals to nil and entered into the semis of the Gold Cup. A large credit goes to Kumar in this easy victory.
The 18 year old TFA lad dominated the midfield and nipped potential dangers in the bud. Despite his short size by football standards, Kumar was more than a match to the tall Bangladesh players.
Even as the Bangladesh team tried to attack (which were few) down the flanks, Kumar was always there to assist the back four and shepherd the ball out of danger to launch sweeping moves into the rival's box.
Most of the attacking moves originated from Kumar's boots and the fourth goal resulted due to his brilliant effort in the 85th minute. Kumar lashed onto a wayward clearance from DKKKS defence and ran into the rival's box taking two defenders along with him. Instead of sending a cross to his team-mates waiting on the right side, Kumar then coolly back-heeled the ball to the unmarked Robin Singh whose left footer crashed into the net.
"We were playing as per our coach (Ranjan Chowdhury) strategy which was to give no breathing space. We played pressing football and always snatched the ball away from the opposition team", said Kumar after the match.
Kumar, who is into his third year with TFA, has already represented India in the national U-19 football team. He proudly recollected his goals against Lebanon and Oman in the AFC games.
Comparing the two games he played in the Gold Cup, Kumar said that he and his team mates could not have played better in the first match.
"It is always difficult to play in the first game,” he said.
“But today we played as per the game plan.”
Kumar is from Ranchi and dreams of making to the Indian senior football squad.
"I want to play for the Indian football team", he said.
Source:Goal.com
